Carbon Dioxide (CO2) Pipeline Development: Federal Initiatives

Carbon dioxide (CO2) pipelines are essential components of carbon capture and storage (CCS) systems which are proposed to reduce atmospheric emissions of man-made CO2, a greenhouse gas. Approximately 5,000 miles of pipeline already carry CO2 in the United States, primarily linking  natural CO2 sources to oil fields where CO2 is used for enhanced oil recovery. However, a much larger pipeline network likely will be needed to meet national goals for greenhouse gas reduction. Developers already are seeking permits for new CO2 pipelines. Summit Carbon Solutions, Navigator CO2 Ventures, and Wolf Carbon Solutions are developing multistate projects in the Upper Midwest which, collectively, would comprise over 3,600 miles of new pipeline for carbon capture from ethanol plants. Along with other actions to promote CCS, the federal government has been advancing initiatives to promote such CO2 pipeline projects, as discussed below.